'Ballad Of The Despairing Husband' by Robert Creeley
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My wife and I lived all alone,
contention was our only bone.
I fought with her, she fought with me,
and things went on right merrily.
But now I live here by myself
with hardly a damn thing on the shelf,
and pass my days with little cheer
since I have parted from my dear.
Oh come home soon, I write to her.
Go fuck yourself, is her answer.
Now what is that, for Christian word?
I hope she feeds on dried goose turd.
But still I love her, yes I do.
I love her and the children too.
I only think it fit that she
should quickly come right back to me.
Ah no, she says, and she is tough,
and smacks me down with her rebuff.
Ah no, she says, I will not come
after the bloody things you've done.
Oh wife, oh wife -- I tell you true,
I never loved no one but you.
I never will, it cannot be
another woman is for me.
That may be right, she will say then,
but as for me, there's other men.
And I will tell you I propose
to catch them firmly by the nose.
And I will wear what dresses I choose!
And I will dance, and what's to lose!
I'm free of you, you little prick,
and I'm the one to make it stick.
Was this the darling I did love?
Was this that mercy from above
did open violets in the spring --
and made my own worn self to sing?
She was. I know. And she is still,
and if I love her? then so I will.
And I will tell her, and tell her right . . .
Oh lovely lady, morning or evening or afternoon.
Oh lovely lady, eating with or without a spoon.
Oh most lovely lady, whether dressed or undressed or partly.
Oh most lovely lady, getting up or going to bed or sitting only.
Oh loveliest of ladies, than whom none is more fair, more gracious, more beautiful.
Oh loveliest of ladies, whether you are just or unjust, merciful, indifferent, or cruel.
Oh most loveliest of ladies, doing whatever, seeing whatever, being whatever.
Oh most loveliest of ladies, in rain, in shine, in any weather.
Oh lady, grant me time,
please, to finish my rhyme.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad Of The Despairing Husband: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Introduction
Robert Creeley is a celebrated American poet of the 20th century. His work has been praised for its simplicity and profundity, and his contribution to the literary world has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. One of his most popular poems is "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband," a haunting and evocative piece that captures the essence of love, loss, and loneliness. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore why it is considered a masterpiece of modern poetry.
The Structure of the Poem
The "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband" is a poem that consists of four stanzas, each of which has four lines. The poem is written in a ballad form, which is a traditional poetic form that originated in France and was later adopted by English poets. The ballad form is characterized by its simple and repetitive structure, and its use of rhyme and meter. In the case of Creeley's poem, the rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The ballad form is particularly suited to the themes of love, loss, and death, which are central to the poem.
The Themes of the Poem
The "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband" is a poem that deals with the themes of love, loss, and loneliness. The poem tells the story of a man who has lost his wife, and who is left to grieve and suffer in solitude. The poem explores the complex emotions that the man experiences, from anger and despair to acceptance and resignation. The poem also touches on the themes of memory, time, and death, which are intertwined with the man's grief.
The Language of the Poem
The language of the "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband" is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the speaker is addressing the reader directly. The language is also highly emotive, and the repetition of certain words and phrases creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, the phrase "I loved her" is repeated three times in the poem, which emphasizes the depth of the man's feelings for his wife.
The Interpretation of the Poem
The "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband" is a poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of grief and loss, and the way in which they shape our lives. The man in the poem is consumed by his grief, and he is unable to move on from his loss. This can be seen as a reflection of the way in which grief can overpower us, and how it can shape our lives in profound ways.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the fragility of love and human relationships. The man's wife is portrayed as a fleeting and fragile presence in his life, and her absence leaves him with a profound sense of emptiness and loss. This can be seen as a reflection of the way in which human relationships are inherently fragile, and how they can be shattered by forces beyond our control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the "Ballad Of The Despairing Husband" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of love, loss, and loneliness. The poem's structure, themes, and language are all perfectly crafted to create a powerful and evocative work of art. Whether read as a meditation on grief, a commentary on the fragility of human relationships, or in some other way, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ballad Of The Despairing Husband: A Poem of Love and Loss
Robert Creeley's Ballad Of The Despairing Husband is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and despair. The poem tells the story of a man who is deeply in love with his wife, but who is also consumed by the fear of losing her. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Creeley captures the intense emotions of the husband as he struggles to come to terms with his own mortality and the impermanence of love.
The poem begins with a description of the husband's love for his wife. He is deeply devoted to her, and his love for her is all-consuming. He describes her as "the light of my life," and he is willing to do anything to make her happy. However, despite his love for her, he is haunted by the fear of losing her. He knows that death is inevitable, and he is terrified of the thought of living without her.
The husband's fear of loss is expressed through the use of powerful imagery. He describes himself as a "withered tree," and his wife as the "sun that warms my bark." This imagery suggests that without his wife, the husband feels empty and lifeless, like a tree that has lost its leaves. The use of the sun as a metaphor for his wife's love is also significant, as it suggests that her love is the source of his life and vitality.
As the poem progresses, the husband's fear of loss becomes more intense. He begins to imagine a world without his wife, and he is consumed by despair. He describes himself as a "ghost," and he feels as though he is already dead. This imagery is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the husband's fear of loss is so intense that it has already robbed him of his life.
Despite his despair, the husband remains deeply committed to his wife. He is willing to do anything to make her happy, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness. He describes himself as a "slave," and he is willing to serve his wife in any way that he can. This selflessness is a testament to the depth of his love, and it is a reminder that true love requires sacrifice.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the husband standing alone in the darkness. He is surrounded by the emptiness of his own fear, and he is consumed by the thought of losing his wife. However, even in the midst of his despair, he remains committed to his love. He knows that his love for his wife is the only thing that gives his life meaning, and he is willing to endure any hardship to keep that love alive.
In conclusion, Ballad Of The Despairing Husband is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and despair. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Robert Creeley captures the intense emotions of a man who is deeply in love with his wife, but who is also consumed by the fear of losing her. The poem is a reminder that true love requires sacrifice, and that even in the midst of despair, love can give our lives meaning.
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